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UK tech campaigner sues Trump administration over US sanctions
The chief of a prominent anti-disinformation watchdog has sued President Donald Trump's administration over a US entry ban, calling it an "unconstitutional" attempt to expel the permanent American resident, court filings showed Wednesday.
New Anglican leader says immigration debate dividing UK
Sarah Mullally, who becomes head of the Church of England next month, warned during a Christmas sermon on Thursday that national conversations over immigration were dividing British society.
Russia says made 'proposal' to France over jailed researcher
Moscow has made an offer to Paris regarding jailed French researcher Laurent Vinatier, who is facing espionage charges that could see him sentenced to 20 years in a Russian prison, the Kremlin said Thursday.
Bangladesh PM hopeful Rahman returns from exile ahead of polls
Aspiring prime minister and political heavyweight Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh on Thursday, ending 17 years in self-imposed exile with a promise to deliver safety and justice if his party wins next year's elections.
Police suspect suicide bomber behind Nigeria's deadly mosque blast
Nigeria police said Thursday that they suspected a suicide bomber was behind the blast that killed several worshippers in a mosque on Christmas eve in the country's northeastern Borno state.
AFCON organisers allowing fans in for free to fill empty stands: source
Organisers at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco are allowing supporters in for free after kick-off in matches where stadiums are not full, a Confederation of African Football source told AFP.
Mali coach Saintfiet hits out at European clubs, FIFA over AFCON changes
Mali coach Tom Saintfiet on Thursday railed against the decision to play the Africa Cup of Nations every four years instead of two, insisting the move was forced upon the continent by FIFA and European clubs motivated by money.
Pope urges Russia, Ukraine dialogue in Christmas blessing
Pope Leo XIV on Thursday urged Russia and Ukraine to find the "courage" to hold direct talks and spoke of the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza in his first Christmas message.
Last Christians gather in ruins of Turkey's quake-hit Antakya
Saint Peter's, one of the world's oldest rock churches, is a sacred rallying point for the isolated Christians still left in quake-hit Antakya in southeastern Turkey, the city known in ancient times as Antioch.
Pope Leo condemns 'open wounds' of war in first Christmas homily
Pope Leo XIV condemned the "senselessness" of war and the "open wounds" it leaves behind, as he delivered his first Christmas message on Thursday after a year marked by conflict but also hopes for peace in Gaza and Ukraine.
Mogadishu votes in first local elections in decades under tight security
Somalians turned out in droves on Thursday to vote in local elections in the capital Mogadishu -- the first by universal suffrage in nearly 60 years -- with the city locked down amid security concerns.
Prime minister hopeful Tarique Rahman arrives in Bangladesh
Aspiring prime minister and political heavyweight Tarique Rahman was welcomed back to Bangladesh on Thursday by huge crowds of joyous supporters after 17 years in self-imposed exile.
'Starting anew': Indonesians in disaster-struck Sumatra hold Christmas mass
At a church in Sumatra, dozens of worshippers sang hymns at a Christmas mass, gathered together for their first service since deadly floods swept the Indonesian island.
Cambodian PM's wife attends funerals of soldiers killed in Thai border clashes
The wife of Cambodia's leader has attended funerals for soldiers killed in border clashes with Thailand, according to an official Facebook post, even though Phnom Penh has not announced any military deaths.
Prime minister hopeful Tarique Rahman arrives in Bangladesh: party
Aspiring prime minister and political heavyweight Tarique Rahman was welcomed back to Bangladesh on Thursday by huge crowds of supporters after his 17 years in self-imposed exile.
Pacific archipelago Palau agrees to take migrants from US
The tiny Pacific island nation of Palau has agreed to accept up to 75 non-American migrants from the United States under a deal worth $7.5 million, the two countries have said.
Pope Leo expected to call for peace during first Christmas blessing
Pope Leo XIV is expected to renew his calls for peace Thursday when he delivers his first Christmas blessing from St Peter's Basilica at the end of a year overshadowed by conflict, but also marked by hopes for peace in Gaza.
Australia opts for all-pace attack in fourth Ashes Test
Australia will take an all-pace attack into the fourth Ashes Test, skipper Steve Smith said Thursday, while Josh Inglis was dropped with selectors preferring Usman Khawaja.
'We hold onto one another and keep fighting,' says wife of jailed Istanbul mayor
Turkish democracy has taken a heavy beating since the jailing of Istanbul's popular opposition mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, his wife told AFP, saying it has been painful for his family but that the ordeal has made them stronger.
North Korea's Kim visits nuclear subs as Putin hails 'invincible' bond
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited a nuclear submarine factory and received a message from Russia's Vladimir Putin hailing the countries' "invincible friendship", state media said Thursday.
Trump takes Christmas Eve shot at 'radical left scum'
US President Donald Trump seized on the occasion of Christmas Eve to assail opposition Democrats, branding them "radical left scum" as he sent out holiday greetings.
Southern California soaked by powerful Christmas storms
Flash flood warnings were in effect in Los Angeles and most of southern California on Wednesday as one of the worst Christmas storms in recent memory brought heavy rain and fears of deadly mudslides.
Leo XIV celebrates first Christmas as pope
Pope Leo XIV held the first Christmas mass of his pontificate on Wednesday, greeting thousands of faithful in St Peter's Square before the service in an usually informal style.
Diallo and Mahrez strike at AFCON as Ivory Coast, Algeria win
Amad Diallo and Riyad Mahrez starred as defending champions Ivory Coast and former winners Algeria had contrasting victories on Wednesday when the first round of African Cup of Nations (AFCON) group matches concluded in Morocco.
'At your service!' Nasry Asfura becomes Honduran president-elect
It took longer than expected, but Nasry Asfura has gone from businessman to mayor to president-elect of Honduras, carrying the blessing of US President Donald Trump who has described him as a "friend of freedom."
Trump-backed Nasry Asfura declared winner of Honduras presidency
Nasry Asfura, a conservative businessman backed by US President Donald Trump, was declared winner of the Honduran presidential vote Wednesday, weeks after a razor-thin election marred by delays and allegations of fraud.
Diallo strikes to give AFCON holders Ivory Coast winning start
Manchester United winger Amad Diallo scored as Ivory Coast began their Africa Cup of Nations title defence with a 1-0 victory over Mozambique in Marrakesh on Wednesday.
Dow, S&P 500 end at records amid talk of Santa rally
Major US stock indices finished at fresh records Wednesday following a shortened pre-holiday session while gold and silver prices also struck fresh highs.
Spurs captain Romero facing increased ban after Liverpool red card
Cristian Romero could be hit with an extended suspension after he was charged by England's ruling Football Association with failing to leave the field and acting in an "aggressive" manner when he was sent off against Liverpool last Saturday.
Bolivian miners protest elimination of fuel subsidies
Hundreds of Bolivian miners protested on Wednesday against the elimination of long-standing fuel subsidies by the government.
A lack of respect? African football bows to pressure with AFCON change
The decision by African football bosses to change the Africa Cup of Nations from a biennial competition to a tournament held every four years has been met with a mixed reaction on the continent with some seeing it as simply caving in to pressure from European clubs and FIFA.
Trump says comedian Colbert should be 'put to sleep'
On the eve of Christmas, President Donald Trump has unleashed a fresh blast of vitriol at late-night comedy talk shows, saying comedian Stephen Colbert is a "pathetic trainwreck" who should be "put to sleep."